IFN Staff
Two men have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery that occurred at a store off Newton Drive in Statesville on Sunday.
The Statesville Police Department announced the arrests of Joseph Nicholas Sherrill, 34, and Thomas Joshua Byers, 34, both of Statesville, in a news release on Tuesday.
SPD officers responded to 1924 Newton Drive about 6:01 a.m. Sunday after receiving a report of an armed robbery at that location.
Two masked suspects had reportedly entered the store with one suspect displaying a handgun, police said. The suspects demanded money and instructed the employee to open the register, according to the news release.
After taking the cash, the suspects fled the scene on foot before entering a black sedan, police said.
The SPD Criminal Investigations Division responded to the scene to process evidence and begin the investigation. Through the use of the department’s Verkada camera system, investigators were able to identify the suspect vehicle as a black 2001 Honda Accord, police said.
Further investigation led to the identification of Sherrill as one of the suspects, according to the news release.
After learning the suspect vehicle had been seen in Wilkesboro, investigators notified the Wilkesboro Police Department. Wilkesboro officers located the vehicle parked at an apartment complex, and while maintaining surveillance they observed the suspect leaving the complex, police said.
A traffic stop was conducted at a nearby convenience store, according to the news release.
During the stop, the driver was identified as Sherrill and the passenger as Byers.
A handgun believed to have been used in the robbery was recovered from inside the vehicle, police said.
SPD investigators responded to Wilkesboro to assist, gather additional evidence, and interview the suspects.
Both Sherrill and Byers were subsequently transported to the Iredell County Detention Center and charged with Robbery with a Dangerous Weapon and Felony Conspiracy. Both were being held without bond pending their first court appearance.
The SPD expressed its gratitude for the swift response and efforts of the Wilkesboro Police Department, which were instrumental in the outcome of this case.